Inverness window company sets new record
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Highlands’ largest window manufacturer produced a record number of windows last year while increased orders from England are fuelling optimism for fresh growth.
Inverness-based Cairngorm Windows, which also has outlets in Thurso and Elgin, produced 28,000 windows last year – a rise of 3000.
Managing director David Dowling said production has expanded to meet rising orders and 500 windows had been despatched for kit homes in England.
“This is important new business,” he said.
“A new volume of orders suggests we’ll be in a position to more than double the amount going south of the border this year.
“With gains in our technology process, we are now targeting breaking through the 30,000 windows barrier in 2020 which would be a major milestone.”
Its A-rated windows save 1704kg of carbon emissions a year, equivalent to taking a saloon car off the road for 12 months.
Mr Dowling said 20 years ago, Cairngorm was producing 8000 windows, progressing to a record 18,000 windows in 2008 as the global economic downturn hit.
It was 2015 before the figure was surpassed when production reached 20,000 and 22,000 two years later.
In 2018, it hit a new record of 25,000, helped by a £1 million investment in new technology.
Mr Dowling attributes much of the increase to recycling with every waste part cut up and reused.
“This has been a big asset now that we are recognised as a principal contractor on the Public Services Scotland website, which generated good business in 2019”, he said.
Clients like our focus on ‘greening’ our company.”
Last year, it recycled a record 29 tonnes of PVC, a 30 per cent rise from the previous year, in addition to 170 tonnes of glass, 280 tonnes of general waste, 10 tonnes of steel and three tonnes of paper
Mr Dowling’s grandfather started the business, then Inverness Glass, in Wells Street in 1953 and his father Alasdair joined the company in its early days.
Turnover is now over £10 million and David’s sons, Chris and Scott, are fellow directors with key roles.
